from Part III - Chronic Pain Conditions Head and Neck
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 December 2023
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), or tic douloureux, is characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating, neuropathic facial pain in the dermatomal distribution of the trigeminal nerve. It was first described as early as in the first century, but accurate descriptions were not documented until the 1700s. Tic douloureux refers to the distinctive facial muscle spasms associated with condition. In patients with TN, minimal stimulation (e.g., light touch, tooth brushing, chewing, talking, wind) causes debilitating pain. Mainstays of treatment include medication, surgery, and complementary approaches. Surgical management is indicated for those who have failed medical treatment with three or more medications, suffer from intolerable side effects, or have intractable symptoms.
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